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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of food stamp benefits at farmers markets. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 33.0024 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.0024. USE OF FOOD STAMP BENEFITS AT FARMERS |
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MARKETS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Farmers market" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 15.001, Agriculture Code. |
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(2) "Lone Star Card" means the card issued by the |
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Health and Human Services Commission to deliver benefits under the |
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food stamp program and the financial assistance program established |
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under Chapter 31. |
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(b) The department, in cooperation with the Department of |
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Agriculture, shall take all action necessary to ensure that |
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recipients of food stamp benefits may use those benefits to |
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purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other food at farmers |
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markets. |
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(c) Action required under Subsection (b) includes: |
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(1) ensuring the availability of Lone Star Card |
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terminals at each farmers market so that food stamp recipients may |
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use Lone Star Cards to make purchases at the market; |
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(2) providing training and technical assistance to |
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managers and vendors at farmers markets regarding acceptance of the |
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Lone Star Card; and |
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(3) conducting an outreach campaign to inform food |
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stamp recipients of the ability to use Lone Star Cards at farmers |
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markets. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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